By Ladi Gbegi
President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry ,ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, has emphasized the importance of collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency ,NASRDA, to strengthen Africa’s space economy.
Obegolu made this statement on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Mathew Adepoju. The visit served both to congratulate Adepoju on his appointment and to reinforce the partnership between ACCI and NASRDA.
According to Obegolu, the collaboration is geared toward ensuring the success of the African Space Economy Conference and Exhibition ,ASE, a flagship event co-owned by both organizations, aimed at advancing the continent’s space economy.
He lauded Adepoju’s appointment, describing it as timely and well-deserved, while praising his contributions as Co-chair of the Planning Committee for the inaugural ASE in 2023. “Your leadership during the maiden ASE reinforced our confidence in your ability to steer NASRDA toward new milestones. This partnership exemplifies how public-private collaboration can drive innovation and economic growth”, Obegolu stated.
The ACCI President commended NASRDA for establishing its commercial arm and encouraged the agency to register it as a Chamber member. He further urged NASRDA to inspire other government agencies to deepen collaborations with the private sector.
Obegolu announced that the second edition of the ASE, themed “Space Economy and Emerging Trends in Africa”, is scheduled to hold on June 17-18, 2025. He also advocated for an independent framework to institutionalize the event, ensuring its sustainability under future leadership of ACCI and NASRDA.
“We need to mobilize resources, promote ASE, and attract more business-oriented stakeholders to unlock the immense potential of the space economy. Collaboration is key, and our legal teams should establish a special purpose vehicle to drive this initiative”, he added.
Mr. Osi Imomoh, Chairman of the ASE Planning Committee, highlighted the event’s transformative role in shaping Africa’s space industry. He proposed creating a N10 million annual seed fund jointly contributed by ACCI and NASRDA to ensure the event’s sustainability and growth.
“Our vision is to make ASE a must-attend event for global industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers. With adequate funding, we can deliver a world-class conference that strengthens Africa’s position in the global space economy”, Imomoh said.
In his response, Dr. Mathew Adepoju reaffirmed NASRDA’s commitment to ASE and its mission to advance Nigeria’s space economy. He outlined a three-point agenda for the agency, which includes transforming NASRDA into a globally competitive institution, empowering its workforce, and integrating private sector participation to drive growth.
“The collaboration between NASRDA and ACCI is crucial to achieving our shared objectives. I am committed to ensuring the success of ASE and positioning Nigeria as a global player in the space economy”, Adepoju said.
He pledged to release NASRDA’s N10 million contribution to the ASE seed fund once the agency’s budget is accessible and emphasized the need to institutionalize ASE as a self-sustaining initiative jointly managed by NASRDA and ACCI.
